FACT CHECK: X Video Shows Social Media Influencer, Not Kidnapped Israeli Woman
A viral video shared on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter, purports to show an Israeli woman being kidnapped by Palestinians.
Video of more kidnapped Israeli women from southern Israel to Gaza by armed Palestinians.https://t.co/ccPFqp1tP5 pic.twitter.com/N9Lwhzri8C
— Local Focus – Security Alerts (@LocalFocus1) October 7, 2023
Verdict: False
In a subsequent X post, another user identified the woman as social media influencer Rosey Quartz. Quartz can be seen wearing the same outfit featured in the viral X video.
Fact Check:
Israel continued to retaliatory launch air strikes on the Gaza Strip following weekend attacks carried out by Hamas, according to Reuters. At least 770 people have been killed and more than 4,000 have been wounded as a result of the airstrikes, the outlet reported.
“Video of more kidnapped Israeli women from southern Israel to Gaza by armed Palestinians,” the X video’s caption purports. In the video, a woman wearing a black shirt and camouflage pants appears to be led away by a group of men. As she appears to be led away, the woman can be seen holding a smartphone and attempting to take a picture. The video has been viewed over one million times as of writing.
The claim that the video shows an Israeli woman being kidnapped by Palestinians is false, however. In a subsequent X post, another user identified the woman as Quartz. The post includes media from Quartz’s personal social media accounts, including a video where she can be seen wearing the same black shirt and camouflage pants featured in the viral X video.
اضافة لما تم ذكره هذا هو الفيديو الذي نشرته (روزي) على حسابها على منصة انستغرام كـ story من #غزة قبل ما يقارب الـ8 ساعات، حيث نلاحظ تطابقاً كاملاً للمظهر واللباس الخارجي.#طوفان_الأقصى pic.twitter.com/0NsPaXfnjS
— Bara’a O. Al-Ma’any (@BMaany) October 7, 2023
The post also links to Quartz’s personal social media accounts, including her Instagram, where her profile indicates she is a blogger. A second Instagram handle appears in her profile bio. On this account, Quartz appears to review beauty products. The handle, @rosey_pinkivy, also features the tagline, “[DM] for Business Inquiries,” which is a hallmark of accounts belonging to social media influencers.
Likewise, the viral X video is not featured in any credible news reports about the recent Israel-Hamas conflict. (RELATED: Video Of Camera Crew Recording Injured Child Predates Israel-Hamas Conflict)
Check Your Fact has contacted Quartz for comment and will update this piece accordingly if one is received.
Note: Check Your Fact is working to debunk false and misleading claims from the recent event. Please send tips to [email protected].